Sidney Myer Fund and Tim Fairfax Family Foundation Collaborate to Support Queensland and the Northern Territory’s Independent Live Performance Sector

March 9th, 2016

On Wednesday 9 March 2016 the Sidney Myer Fund and the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation announced that their co-funded Capacity Building Program for Queensland and Northern Territory artists and small to medium arts organisations was open for application.

The program will provide grants of up to $50,000 split into two equal payments over two years for independent companies and collectives working in Queensland and Northern Territory. Last year, the program supported Victorian and Tasmanian artists and its geographic focus will shift again next year.

This is the first collaborative funding project between the Sidney Myer Fund and the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation. Recognising the scale of the unmet need in the independent sector and the ongoing uncertainty regarding government funding programs, the Fund and Foundation are pleased to announce that grants will be awarded in June 2016.

The program will distribute $500,000 in the coming grant round.

“This program is the only one of its kind in Australia,” said the Carrillo Gantner AO, Chairman of the Sidney Myer Fund. “Our independent artists are the least likely to receive support for their activities, the least able to access advocacy channels, but the most critical to our cultural life. We are very pleased to be working with the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation and investing in Australia’s future in this manner”

Tim Fairfax AC, Chairman of the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation said “As a strong believer in collaboration it is inspiring to be working with the Sidney Myer Fund to build the capacity of the arts in Queensland and the Northern Territory. We look forward to working with small to medium arts organisations.”

The Capacity Building Program will strengthen and grow the independent arts and cultural sector in Australia by granting money to ensembles, collectives and groups that are highly connected within their sector, and producing excellent work. Funds will be awarded untied – to be applied as the recipients see fit in the course of their everyday activities.

More information about the program can be found on the Sidney Myer Fund’s website. Applications to the program are now open and will close at midnight (end of the day) on 10 April 2016.